AN Ali Baba style crook has been arrested by police in an operation which saw £55,000 of stolen property recovered.
The 40-year-old was allegedly in possession of almost half the entire haul – £23,000 worth of electrical goods – in the four week long crackdown by Lothian and Borders Police codenamed Operation Airborne.
Police acting with Trading Standards officers and teams from City of Edinburgh Council hit more than 60 properties.
Among the items recovered were vehicles, electrical equipment and what were described as precious metals.
Detective Inspector Matt Richards, who led the operation, said: “The selling of stolen property remains the main motive for criminals committing housebreakings, robberies and general thefts.”
Police said 19 people had been reported to the Procurator Fiscal and that the 40 year old would appear in court.
REPORT: Shaun Milne
